Full Name: Francois Marais

Position: Sales and marketing director at Pilot Crushtec

Main Activity of the Company: Pilot Crushtec is involved in the manufacture, import and distribution of crushing, screening and materials handling solutions

Date and Place of Birth: May 10, 1982, Johannesburg

Education: BCom (Hons)

First Job: Bicycle mechanic at the local bike store

Career History Prior to Current Position: I worked at Hyundai Automotive South Africa for 13 years in various sales and marketing roles

Size of First Pay Packet: R8 000 a month

First Job with Present Group: Sales and marketing director

Value of Assets under Your Control: R250-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: 25

Management Style: Behavioural management style

Personal Best Achievement: Becoming a father

Professional Best Achievement: My current position and the numerous awards I have received over the years (Hyundai Global Best Marketing Campaign, 2012; Metso Global Sales Growth Award, 2019)

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father and grandfather

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My previous and current CEOs (Alan Ross at Hyundai and Sandro Scherf at Pilot Crushtec)

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Sir Alex Ferguson

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Steve Jobs, Peter Drucker and Charlie Munger

Philosophy of Life: Everything in life is fine, in moderation – even moderation

Biggest Ever Opportunity: I can’t disclose that, as I am busy working on it

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Learning that because you trust someone, invest in them and do your best to lift them up – you cannot transfer those same intentions to others

Hope for the Future: That the work we put in has value and goes on to create something lasting, with meaning, and adds value to others

Favourite Reading: Fantasy fiction and autobiographies

Favourite TV Programme: How I Met Your Mother

Favourite Food/Drink: Thai food and an Old Fashioned

Favourite Music: 50s classic soul

Favourite Sport: Cycling, football and boxing

Favourite Website: www.youtube.com

Hobbies: I am an avid cyclist and enjoy running; I also enjoy basic carpentry and handywork

Car: Mini Countryman Cooper

Pets: Two Rhodesian Ridgebacks

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Bad service culture

Favourite Other South African Company: Naspers and Imperial

Favourite Foreign Company: Google, Nike and Audi

Married: To Taryn Marais, since July 4, 2018

Children: Jack, 2

Clubs: Team View Cycling club